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We
have extensive experience helping clients with family law matters.
Our practice includes the following types of matters:
-
Dissolution
of Marriage (Divorce)
-
Legal
Separation
-
Mediation
-
Custody
& Visitation
-
Child
Support
-
Alimony
-
Adoption
-
Paternity
-
Contempt
and Enforcement Proceedings
-
Domestic
Violence Injunctions
-
Modification
Proceedings (post divorce)
-
Related
Matters of Family Law
Dissolution
of Marriage (Divorce) - The breakup of a marriage is often one
of the most stressful times in a person's life. We understand this
and so seek to help the client navigate through this difficult time.
We have significant experience in helping clients through the painful
experience of divorce, seeking what is in the best interest of the
minor children, and in zealously representing the client in their
desire to obtain an equitable distribution of the marital assets/liabilities
and other rights when dissolution of marriage becomes inevitable.
Custody
and Visitation - As part of a dissolution of marriage proceeding,
the court will often make a determination as to both parents rights
and obligations regarding the minor children. There are several significant issues here: 1. Parenting and Time Sharing, and
2. Parenting Plan. The courts now refer to custody as “Parenting
or Time Sharing”. Parenting generally means that each parent
will have an equal say in the major decisions affecting the welfare
of the minor children. Sole parental responsibility is awarded to
one parent in very limited situations. Visitation is now more appropriately
referred to as “Time Sharing”, i.e. the time the parent
spends with the minor child or children. There are many variations
and arrangements here also and the parties will complete a State
required Parenting Plan.
Child
Support - As part of a dissolution of marriage proceeding and
paternity actions, the court will make a determination as to whether
one parent shall receive monetary contributions from the other parent
for the care of the minor child or children based primarily on the
Child Support Guidelines in Florida. It may be possible for the
amount ordered by the court to be altered at a later date if either
parent petitions the court for such a change, i.e. a modification
proceeding, if there has been a substantial change in circumstances
and it would be in the child or children's best interest. We have
years of experience dealing with both initial child support determinations
and later modifications of child support.
Alimony
- This is a court ordered allowance that one spouse pays to the
other spouse for support on a temporary basis during the case or
for some period of time after they are divorced. There are several
types of alimony which fit different circumstances, three examples
would be permanent periodic alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and
lump sum alimony. We work very hard to seek a proper amount of alimony
or defend against improper requests for alimony. Depending on the
length of the marriage and other relevant factors as set forth in
the Florida Statute § 61.08, alimony may or may not be appropriate
in given cases.
Adoption
- Many loving
individuals want to open up their home to another child or simply
are unable to have children. Adoption can be a lengthy process with
significant obstacles. However, we can help you through the process
so that you can share the gift of love with a special child.
Paternity
- Either
party can file a Petition to Determine Paternity and the Court will
order a paternity test. Paternity test involve DNA identification
or tissue-typing for determining whether a given man is the biological
father of a particular child. Upon the results of the paternity
test the Court will determine the child support amount to be paid,
visitation, and future expenses for the minor child.
Contempt
or Enforcement - Contempt
and Enforcement are areas where one of the parties is not complying
with the current Court's order or instruction. Therefore, one of
the parties will request the Court to instruct the non-compliant
person to comply within a time frame or sanctions may be imposed.
Modification
- Once
the Court has entered an Order the parties may find that a part
of all of an order will need to be modified. Modification can include
child support, visitation, relocation, or alimony and many more
aspects.
Mediation
- The
Court included Mediation as an important aspect of the Dissolution
or Modification process. Mediation will include your attorney, a
certified mediator and the opposing party. The parties can sit in
the same room or be separated. The Mediation process allows the
parties to negotiate each of their terms or conditions prior to
involving the Court's intervention. Each of the Counties has a Mediation
Department or you can have a private mediator at your request.
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